Adjustment mechanism



Oct. 13, 1964 A. P. LANG ETAL ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM Filed April 26, 1961 INVENTORS FLLBERT P. LHNG- 6 N551. B. Eur-IBM u -3 M F /7,

W a W 0 3 4 United States Patent C) 3,152,439 ADJUSTla IENT MECHANISM Aihert P. Lang and Neal 3. Cohen, Philadelphia, Pa., assignors to Sperry Rand Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 26, 1961, Ser. No. 105,709 4 Claims. (Cl. 74-522) This invention relates to actuator mechanisms, and more particularly to adjustable actuator mechanisms.

Actuator mechanisms have wide application in many mechanical systems. They are especially useful in connection with linkage mechanisms involving the transmission of movement from one mechanical element to a second mechanical element. While the present invention applies to actuator devices in general, a particular embodiment involving a card punching machine is discussed to point out the utility of the device in a particular application.

In machines used for punching holes in cards, such as those used in data processing systems, as many as eighty or more individual punch actuators may be involved in a single machine. Such punch actuators are often moved as a result of the operation of solenoids or similar electrical devices. Depression of a selected one of a large number of keys in a punch machine results in a selected solenoid becoming energized. An armature, associated with the selected solenoid, is connected to move an associated linkage mechanism, which, in turn, is connected to a punch device disposed to punch a hole in a card.

The large number of solenoids and the associated linkage mechanisms found in most punch machines are generally confined to a relatively small space. This makes it extremely difiicult to work on or adjust a particular solenoid or link mechanism without disassembling or otherwise disturbing some of the other parts located adjacent to or nearby the part to be adjusted. Adjustment of mechanisms are often necessary to compensate for wearing of parts as well as permitting certain tolerances in the design of a mechanical system.

In a punch machine, if the linkage mechanism becomes effectively longer as a result of looseness resulting from a wearing of some parts, the movement of the punch element may not be sufiicient to punch a hole in a card. n the other hand, if the linkage mechanism becomes eltectively shorter, the armature associated with the selected solenoid may not bottom when the solenoid is operated. When the armature of a solenoid does not bottom, the armature will not be moved the full distance for which it is designed to move and the likelihood of the solenoid being burned out is correspondingly increased.

It is an object of this inventon to provide an improved actuator device which is adjustable.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide an improved actuator device in which a linkage mechanism is readily attachable or detachable thereto.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide an improved actuator device which is readily replaceable without the necessity of disassembling a large number of associated parts.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide an improved actuator device wherein worn bearing parts may be readily replaced without the necessity of disassembling or replacing other associated parts.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide an improved card punch machine involving a large number of closely spaced punch actuators which are readily adjustable.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide an improved card punch machine wherein adjustment means are provided for linkage mechanisms without varying the position of associated armatures.

In accordance with the present invention, an actuator device for varying the length of a mechanical linkage is provided. The actuator device includes an arm member connected to the mechanical linkage. Means are provided to adjust the relative position of the arm to control the mechanical linkage without disturbing the positions of other parts associated with the system.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent and suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, from a reading of the following specification and claims, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side view illustrating a punch actuator device which includes the adjustment mechanism of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged view illustrating a portion of the device of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a top view illustrating the linkage mechanism of FIGURE 1, and

FIGURE 4 is a top cross sectional View taken along lines 44 of FIGURE 1.

Referring particularly to FIGURE 1, a U-shaped magnetic core member 10 includes a solenoid winding 12. The solenoid winding 12 is disposed around one leg 14 of the core. The other leg 16 of the core 16 is adapted to receive an armature 18. It is apparent that the core member may take a Variety of different forms other than that illustrated. For example, the core may be an E-shaped member with a winding disposed on the middle leg.

The armature 18 includes a base 19 having a cut-away section 21; adapted to receive a pivot 22. The pivot 22 is fixedly secured within the leg 16 of the core 10. A pair of spring members are attached to resiliently hold the armature 18 to the core 16 for movement around the pivot 22. Since only one of two similar side views is illustrated in FIGURE 1, only a single spring member 24 is illustrated, this spring being attached at one end to a pin 26 which is secured to .the base 19 and at its other end to a pin 28 which is secured to the leg 16. The spring member 24 exerts a tension on one end of the base 19 to normally maintain the base 19 in a fixed spaced relationship with respect to the leg 14 when the solenoid winding l2 is in a de-energized condition.

As more clearly illustrated in FIGURE 2, one end of the base 19 has a portion out away to provide a space 23 between one end of the base 19 and the leg 16 when the armature 18 is actuated or in the down position with respect to the solenoid 12.

The space 23 permits the base 19 of the armature 13 to be pivoted about the pivot 22. This pivoting arrangement minimizes the number of parts which must be used to provide the pivoting action. The degree of wear of the parts associated with the pivot point is small in the arrangement illustrated, since the friction involved is relatively low.

The armature 18 includes a protruding sector 3th having a cut-away slit 31 (see FIGURE 4) for receiving an arm member 32 pivotally mounted to a pivot 36. The protruding sector 30 includes a threaded aperture for receiving an adjustment screw 34. The adjustment screw 34 is disposed within the threaded aperture at an angle of approic'm-ately 45 degrees with respect to the base 19.

If desired, the adjustment screw 34 may be associated with additional means (not illustrated) to prevent the rotation thereof after the screw has been set to its desired position. Such additional means, for example, may in clude a nylon element inserted through the sector 30 and against the thread of screw 34.

The angular disposition of the screw 34 within the sector 36 provides an arrangement wherein a wrench may be easily applied to the socket end of the screw. The other o: :3 end of the screw 34 is in constant engagement with an angularly cut sector 33 (illustrated by dotted lines) of the arm member 32. The angular position of a portion of the sector 30 and the adjustment screw 34 is especially advantageous in systems involving a large number of actuator devices which may require individual adjustment. For example, in a punch machine, involving eighty actuators within a relatively small space, the angular positions of the portion of the sector 30 and adjustment screw make it possible to adjust one actuator Without disturbing parts associated with adjacent or neaerby actuators.

The contour angle of the sector 33 in the arm 32 may be designed to produce a desired rate of change of translatory motion of the upper portion of the arm 32. This desired rate of change may be to effect equal increments displacement of the upper portion of the arm 32 for equal increments of the adjustment screw rotation. Many devices utilizing the type of actuator illustrated may involve a non-linear advance or movement of the arm 32 and the angle involved would be different than that illustrated. Rotation of the adjustment screw 32 causes the contact point to be shifted along the angular section of the arm member 32 to cause angular displacement of the arm. The arm member 32 is pivotally mounted to a pin 36.

A spring 38 is pivoted at a pin 26. One end 39 of the spring exerts a downward force against the base 19 and the other end 41 exerts a force against the arm 32 towards the right direction. The spring 38 maintains the arm 32 in an adjusted position which is determined by the setting of the screw 34.

One end of the adjustment arm 32 includes a hooklike sector 40 and an aperture 42 which may include a nylon or other low friction material bearing 43. A linkage mechanism 44 is adapted to be attached to the arm 32. The linkage mechanism 44 includes a pull rod 45 of one piece construction, which may be made of hardened steel which in its softened condition permits the working of acute angles in the ends 47 that form the crank 49. The spade tip 51 may be brazed to the bell crank end of the pull rod 45. These details are illustrated in FIGURE 3.

The shaping of the pull rod 45 in a crank form which is disposed about the trailing edge of the yoke permits lateral retaining of the pull-rod 45 without the need of any extra retaining parts or clips. In addition, the arrangement illustrated allows for easy entry and removal of the pull rod.

Since the arm member 32 is moved very often during operation, it may tend to wear more than other associated parts. The arm member 32, in view of the convenient detachable linkage mechanism provided, may be readily replaced without the necessity of replacement of the entire actuator device. The arm member 32 may be fiat and made of various types of material including metal or bearing material, such as nylon or plastic. In the embodiment illustrated, a separate bearing is utilized, although it may, in some cases, be desirable to use the arm itself as the bearing element. The arm member may be thin and light and the assembly of the entire actuator unit may permit the separate connection of the armature elements.

The linkage mechanism together with the arm member makes the entire actuator device relatively easy to assemble, repair and adjust. In the event that one part needs replacement, the entire actuator device need not be replaced.

It is seen that the present invention has provided a relatively simple means for effectively adjusting the length of the mechanical linkage or pull rod 44. This adjustment may be made to compensate for wearing of parts or for slight irregularities in the elements employed. The convenient location and angular position of the adjustment screw make it possible to provide an adjustment of an individual linkage mechanism without disruption or disassembling any of the parts which may be associated close to a large number of other linkages or adjustments. Also, uniform travel of the armature can be controlled by adjusting the screw to compensate for part wear or initial variation in part dimensions.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a detachable pull rod for actuating a punch device, an actuator device including a magnetic core, a solenoid disposed about a portion of said core, an armature pivotally mounted to said magnetic core, said armature having a protruding sector integrally forming a part thereof with said sector having a cut away slit to receive an arm element, means attached to said armature for normally maintaining said armature in a fixed space relationship with respect to said magnetic core when said solenoid is deenergized, an arm pivotally attached to said armature within said slit, a low friction element fixed to said arm, means connecting said armature through said low friction element to engage said pull rod, screw means extending through said sector of said armature adjusting the pivotal position of said arm to compensate for variations in the lengths of said pull rod, and spring means attached to said armature and in physical engagement with said arm element to bias said arm element against said screw for different positions of said screw.

2. An adjustment mechanism for a punch machine including an armature including a base having a protruding sector integrally forming a part thereof, said sector having a cut away slit adapted to receive an arm element, an arm element disposed Within said slit and pivotally mounted to said sector, an adjustment means including a screw in continuous engagement with said arm element, a spring member attached to said armature and in physical engagement with said arm element to bias said arm element against said screw for different positions of said screws, a linkage mechanism and means operatively connected to said arm element engaging said linkage mechanism.

3. An adjustment mechanism for a punch machine comprising an armature including a base having a protruding sector integrally forming a part thereof, said sector having a cut away slit adapted to receive an arm element, an arm element disposed within said slit and pivotally and detachably mounted to said sector, an adjustment screw extending through said sector to physically engage said arm element, a spring member attached to said armature and in physical engagement with said arm element to bias said arm element against said screw for different positions of said screw, and a pull rod detachably connected to said arm element whereby said pull rod may be removed from said adjustment mechanism without disassembly of other associated parts.

4. An adjustment mechanism for a punch machine comprising a linkage mechanism, an actuator device comprising a magnetic core, a solenoid disposed about a portion of said magnetic core, an armature pivotally mounted to said magnetic core, means attached to said armature for normally maintaining said armature in a fixed spaced relationship with respect to said magnet core when said solenoid is deenergized, an arm pivotally attached to said armature and disposed to physically engage said linkage mechanism, and an adjustment screw in direct physical contact with said arm for adjusting the pivotal position of said arm to compensate for variations in the lengths of said linkage mechanism.

References Oited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,431,869 Haller Dec. 2, 1947 ,6 Hill Jan. 20, 1959 .881.833 Holfee Apr. 14, 1959 ,908,183 Di Giovanni Oct. 13, 1959 ,9 6 Harrison Dec. 15, 1959 82 Ivanko Apr. 26, 1960 8 Rauh Aug. 21, 1962 

1. IN COMBINATION, A DETACHABLE PULL ROD FOR ACTUATING A PUNCH DEVICE, AN ACTUATOR DEVICE INCLUDING A MAGNETIC CORE, A SOLENOID DISPOSED ABOUT A PORTION OF SAID CORE, AN ARMATURE PIVOTALLY MOUNTED TO SAID MAGNETIC CORE, SAID ARMATURE HAVING A PROTRUDING SECTOR INTEGRALLY FORMING A PART THEREOF WITH SAID SECTOR HAVING A CUT AWAY SLIT TO RECEIVE AN ARM ELEMENT, MEANS ATTACHED TO SAID ARMATURE FOR NORMALLY MAINTAINING SAID ARMATURE IN A FIXED SPACE RELATIONSHIP WITH RESPECT TO SAID MAGNETIC CORE WHEN SAID SOLENOID IS DEENERGIZED, AN ARM PIVOTALLY ATTACHED TO SAID ARMATURE WITHIN SAID SLIT, A LOW FRICTION ELEMENT FIXED TO SAID ARM, MEANS CONNECTING SAID ARMATURE THROUGH SAID LOW FRICTION ELEMENT TO ENGAGE SAID PULL ROD, SCREW MEANS EXTENDING THROUGH SAID SECTOR OF SAID ARMATURE ADJUSTING THE PIVOTAL POSITION OF SAID ARM TO COMPENSATE FOR VARIATIONS IN THE LENGTHS OF SAID PULL ROD, AND SPRING MEANS ATTACHED TO SAID ARMATURE AND IN PHYSICAL ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID ARM ELEMENT TO BIAS SAID ARM ELEMENT AGAINST SAID SCREW FOR DIFFERNET POSITIONS OF SAID SCREW. 